Springboks Make Four Changes for Cape Town

CAPE TOWN — Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has made four changes to his starting XV for Saturday's second Test against the All Blacks at DHL Stadium, as South Africa look to hit back after a heavy 33-16 defeat in the series opener at Ellis Park handed New Zealand a 1-0 lead in the four-match Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series and cost the back-to-back world champions top spot in the world rankings.

The Changes

The most significant adjustment sees Siya Kolisi restored as captain and starting blindside flanker, with Pieter-Steph du Toit shifting to accommodate his return. Erasmus explained the call by pointing to Kolisi's value at the breakdown and in organizing South Africa's defensive structure, both areas the coach felt were lacking in Johannesburg.

At half-back, Handre Pollard comes in at fly-half in place of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who drops to the bench, while Cobus Reinach starts at scrum-half in place of the injured Grant Williams. On the wing, Ethan Hooker replaces Cheslin Kolbe, who is also sidelined through injury.

A Milestone Weekend

The changes coincide with a landmark occasion for two Springbok veterans. Utility forward Pieter-Steph du Toit will become the 11th player in Springbok history to reach 100 Test caps, while prop Ox Nche will earn his 50th cap in the same match. It will also mark Deon Fourie's first appearance since starting in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final against the same opponents, a match South Africa won 12-11 to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.

Bench Overhaul

Erasmus has also freshened up his replacements significantly, with only Gerhard Steenekamp and Andre Esterhuizen retaining their places from the bench used in Johannesburg. Deon Fourie, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Cameron Hanekom and Morne van den Berg all come into the 23 after missing out on the first Test, giving the Springboks considerable forward power and experience to call upon in the closing stages.

Key Changes to the Starting XV
Fly-half	Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu → Handre Pollard
Scrum-half	Grant Williams (injured) → Cobus Reinach
Left wing	Cheslin Kolbe (injured) → Ethan Hooker
Captaincy / Flank	Pieter-Steph du Toit (capt.) → Siya Kolisi (capt.)

Why It Matters

New Zealand's 33-16 win at Ellis Park was South Africa's heaviest home defeat to the All Blacks on record, and represents the tourists' first full series on South African soil in 30 years. A defeat in Cape Town on Saturday would hand New Zealand an unassailable 2-0 series lead heading into the final two Tests, in Johannesburg and Baltimore, making the DHL Stadium clash effectively must-win for the Springboks. The last time the two sides met in Cape Town, in the 2024 Rugby Championship, South Africa won 18-12.

The All Blacks have also reshuffled their own side for the rematch, naming three changes to the starting XV that won in Johannesburg, including George Bower coming in at prop for the concussed Ethan de Groot and Tupou Vaa'i starting in the second row in place of Josh Lord.

Also Read: All Blacks Make Three Changes for Second Springboks Test

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